John Caird will direct, with Duncan C.Weldon and Paul Elliott producing. Sets and costume design will be supplied by Rob Jones, with sound by John Leonard and lighting by Chris Davey.

The play premiered in September 1962, when Sheila Hancock starred alongside Edward Woodward and Daniel Moynihan. Rattle of a Simple Man went to Broadway’s Booth Theatre the following year, again with Woodward but with Tammy Grimes and George Segal making up the cast. 1964 saw a movie version with Harry H.Corbett, Thora Hird and Diane Cilento.

Michelle Collins became a household name in the UK with her leading role in the TV soap “Eastenders,” and this will be her West End debut. Tompkinson, on the other hand, will be making his third Theatreland bow, having previously starred in Art and Arsenic and Old Lace. His most popular TV roles were in “Drop The Dead Donkey” and “Ballykissangel”.

The show will warm-up in Malvern’s Festival Theatre (from April 27 to May 1). It will then transfer to London’s Comedy Theatre on May 6, with opening night on May 11.

For more information, call (0)870 060 6637.